Low resistance, low-inductance power connectors

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector includes an anode for conducting an electrical supply current from a source to a destination, a cathode for conducting an electrical return current from the destination to the source, and an insulator that prevents electrical conduction between the anode and the cathode. The first and second shapes are such as to provide a conformity of one to the other, with the insulator placed therebetween and having a predetermined relatively thin thickness. A predetermined low-resistance path for the supply current is provided respectively by the anode and the cathode, and a proximity of the anode to the cathode along these paths provides a predetermined low self-inductance of the connector. The anode and the cathode each comprises a plurality of sections that are disposed at one or more predetermined angles to form a rigid assembly that accommodates a geometry between the source and the destination.

This Application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/964,046, filed on Dec. 9, 2015.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with government support under contract B601996awarded by the Department of Energy. The government has certain rightsin the invention.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to separably interconnecting power betweena DC power supply and its load with minimal losses even with clockingtransitions on the load current demands. More specifically, a pair ofconductive plates sized for predetermined current capacity and shaped toconform to each other are separated by a thin insulator to therebyminimize both resistive and self-inductive losses.

In the field of electronics, and in particular in the field ofhigh-performance computers, it is highly desirable to reduce theconsumption of electrical power as much as possible. Toward this end,new generations of power supplies are designed to minimize loss, and newgenerations of processors and memory systems are designed to dissipateless power despite higher computational performance. An effectivetechnique in reducing the power consumption P of electronics is to lowerits operating voltage V. For CMOS circuits, P=CV²f, where C is the sumof all capacitances which are charged to voltage V or discharged fromvoltage V, at frequency f. As will be further explained, power isminimized by reducing V until any further reduction will stop thecircuit from operating at frequency f. Yet, because P=VI, where I iscurrent in amperes flowing through the electronics, reduced voltage Vimplies higher current I, despite reduction in power P. Thus, for suchlow-voltage, high-current electronics, a power connector must be capableof handling large current I. The current I must be deliveredsubstantially at potential V from a supply terminal of the power supplyto the electronics, and must be returned substantially at zero potentialfrom the electronics to a return terminal of the power supply. Thesupply-terminal potential and the return-terminal potential may bereferred to as “power” and “ground” respectively. Let ΔV_(s) be thevoltage drop that occurs as current I travels from the supply terminalto the electronics; let ΔV_(s) be the voltage drop that occurs ascurrent I travels from the electronics to the return terminal; and letΔV_(r) be other overhead voltage drop that occurs, such as in conductorsother than the connector. Let R_(s), R_(r), and R_(o) be the resistancescorresponding to the voltage drop_(s) ΔV_(s), ΔV_(r) and ΔV_(o)respectively; that is,ΔV _(s) =IR _(s) ;ΔV _(r) =IR _(r) ;ΔV _(o) =IR _(o).  (1)

A total overhead voltage drop ΔV_(total) may therefore be defined asΔV _(total) =ΔV _(s) +ΔV _(r) +ΔV _(o)=/(R _(s) +R _(r) +R _(o))  (2)

For electronics such as a processor and memory, another common method ofpower reduction is to reduce, as processor workload changes, theprocessor's operating voltage V and/or a clock frequency f at which theprocessor operates. A popular technique is called dynamicvoltage-frequency scaling (DVFS), in which both V and f are droppedproportionally when workload is reduced, and raised again when workloadis increased.

Consequently, the current I from the power supply to the processor andmemory varies strongly in time. This leads to voltage fluctuation at theprocessor and memory, because an inductive voltage drop ΔV_(L) occursacross the power connector according to Faraday's Law,

$\begin{matrix}{{{\Delta\; V_{L}} = {L\frac{dI}{dt}}},} & (3)\end{matrix}$

where L is a self-inductance of the power connector and

$\frac{dI}{dt}$is a change in current per unit time through the connector. Because atechnique such as DVFS can produce large

$\frac{dI}{dt},$the self-inductance L of the power connector must be small, according toequation (3), to avoid large voltage fluctuations ΔV_(L).

Consequently, for low-voltage, high-current electronics, there is a needfor a power connector that simultaneously achieves

-   -   (a) high current-carrying capacity,    -   (b) low connector resistance R_(conn)=R_(s)+R_(r), and    -   (c) low self-inductance L_(conn).

Some prior-art, high-current power connectors achieve (a) and (b), butfail to achieve (c). For example, a power connector comprising an arrayof pins, with each pin being either power or ground, has relatively highself-inductance. Other prior-art connectors, such as coaxial orstripline connectors, achieve (c) but fail to achieve (a): they aretypically restricted to just a few amperes of current per contact.

Thus, the present inventors have recognized that it is highly desirableto find a connector structure that achieves (a), (b), and (c)simultaneously, and does so in a compact package for the purpose ofreducing R_(o). For example, a useful target set of specifications mightbe:I=100 A;R _(conn) ≡R _(s) +R _(r)≤50μΩ;L _(conn)≤500 pH,  (4)where the inductance specification in (4) arises from a desire toachieve a dynamic voltage drop of at most ΔV_(L)=50 [mV] with

$\frac{dI}{dt} = {100{\frac{A}{µs}.}}$Additionally, it would be particularly useful to have the connectors tobe able to mate and unmate multiple times, meaning that the connectorsare selectively easily separable.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electricalconnector is described that is capable of carrying large amounts ofelectrical current between two circuit boards or other entities, in botha forward direction and a reverse direction, in a manner that provides alow resistance between the two circuit boards in each of the twodirections, and also provides a low self-inductance of the connector.The connector has application to delivering low-voltage, high-currentpower from a power supply on a first board to electronics on a secondboard: the low resistance minimizes voltage drop for a load current thatis constant, while the low inductance minimizes voltage fluctuations dueto a load current that changes. These issues are of great importance,for example, in designing high-performance computers.

In an exemplary embodiment, an electrical connector is describedcomprising

-   -   a. An anode assembly for conducting an electrical supply current        from a source to a destination, the anode assembly comprising an        anode formed into a first shape from sheet metal or other        sheet-like conducting material, an anode-to-source attachment        means, and an anode-to-destination attachment means,    -   b. A cathode assembly for conducting an electrical return        current from the destination to the source, the cathode assembly        comprising a cathode formed into a second shape from sheet metal        or other sheet-like conducting material, a cathode-to-source        attachment means, and a cathode-to-destination attachment means,    -   c. An insulator that prevents electrical conduction between the        anode and the cathode.

The first and second shapes are such as to provide a conformity of oneto the other, with the insulator therebetween being relatively thin; theconnector is attached to the source using both the anode-to-sourceattachment means and the cathode-to-source attachment means; and theconnector is attached to the destination using both theanode-to-destination attachment means and the cathode-to-destinationattachment means. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, for each of theanode assembly and the cathode assembly, at least one of the attachmentmeans is separable even if the other is more permanent by using apress-fit or solder attachment. However, one of skill would readilyrecognize that the present invention is not limited by details of theattachment means, including the number of permanent/separableattachments. In the exemplary embodiment described herein, all four endattachments (e.g., anode and cathode, source and destination) areseparable. A low-resistance path for the supply current is therebyprovided by the anode, a low-resistance path for the return current isthereby provided by the cathode, and the proximity of the anode to thecathode along these paths provides a low self-inductance of theconnector, the proximity being afforded by the conformity of the firstand second shapes.

In one or more embodiments, the connector deliberately sacrifices easeof connection and disconnection to achieve lower inductance and lowercontact resistance. For example, in one or more embodiments, connectionand disconnection involves tightening and loosening screws,respectively; nevertheless, separability of the connector, and thereforeserviceability of the source and the destination, is maintained.

In one or more embodiments, the connector provides substantialmechanical compliance between source and destination, thereby permittingthe use of a plurality of the connectors in parallel between the sourceand the destination without fear that electrical contact at either thesource or the destination will be compromised by mechanical tolerances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a power connector 100according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the power connector 100;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the power connector 100;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an anode assembly 102 for thepower connector 100;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a cathode assembly 104 for thepower connector 100;

FIG. 6 illustrates an insulator for the power connector 100;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the power connector 100;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly 800 comprising twocircuit boards and two instances of the power connector 100;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of the assembly 800;

FIG. 10 illustrates an upside-down exploded view of the assembly 800;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly 1100 comprisingtwo circuit boards and three instances of the power connector 100;

FIG. 12 illustrates the calculation of resistance and inductance for thepower connector 100;

FIG. 13 illustrates nomenclature used in the calculation of inductancefor two parallel plates;

FIG. 14 illustrates a top perspective view of a power connector 1400according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the power connector1400;

FIG. 16 illustrates an anode assembly 1402 for the connector 1400;

FIG. 17 illustrates an exploded view of the anode assembly 1402;

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a connector assembly 1800according to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly comprising twocircuit boards and one instance of the connector 1800;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of a power connector 2000according to a fourth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 21A illustrates a perspective view of a power connector 2100according to a fifth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 21B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the power connector 2100,which has angle parameters θ₁, θ₂, and θ₃;

FIG. 22A illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the powerconnector 2100 with θ₁=90°, θ₂=180°, and θ₃=180°;

FIG. 22B illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the powerconnector 2100 with θ₁=90°, θ₂=270°, and θ₃=270°;

FIG. 22C illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the powerconnector 2100 with θ₁=90°, θ₂=180°, and θ₃=90°;

FIG. 22D illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the powerconnector 2100 with θ₁=180°, θ₂=180°, and θ₃=180°; and

FIG. 22E illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a powerconnector 2200.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

In the following listing of component labels, the leading digit(s) of areference numeral indicates the number of the figure whose discussionintroduces it. For example, although reference numeral 402 appears onFIG. 1, it is introduced during the discussion of FIG. 4, so the leadingdigit is “4”.

-   -   100 High-current, low-resistance, low-inductance connector        according to a first embodiment    -   101 Cartesian coordinate system    -   102 Anode assembly for connector 100    -   104 Cathode assembly for connector 100    -   106 Insulator for connector 100    -   302 Coating on cathode 500 that obviates need for insulator 106    -   304 Coating on anode 400 that obviates need for insulator 106    -   400 Anode for connector 100    -   402 Top shim plate    -   404 Bottom shim plate    -   406 Fasteners in top flange 414 of anode 400    -   408 Bottom flange of anode 400    -   410 First angled flange of anode 400    -   412 Second angled flange of anode 400    -   414 Top flange of anode 400    -   416 Fastener hole    -   418 Fastener clearance hole    -   420 Locating-pin clearance hole    -   422 Fastener clearance hole    -   500 Cathode for connector 100    -   502 Locating Pin    -   506 Fastener in flange 518 of cathode 500    -   508 Bottom flange of cathode 500    -   510 First angled flange of cathode 500    -   512 Second angled flange of cathode 500    -   514 Top flange of cathode 500    -   516 Fastener hole    -   518 Top notch    -   520 Gap between cathode top flange and anode top shim plate    -   522 Bottom notch    -   524 Gap between cathode bottom flange and anode bottom shim        plate    -   526 Hole in cathode for locating pin    -   528 Protruding portion of cathode top flange 514    -   530 Protruding portion of cathode bottom flange 508    -   608 Bottom portion of insulator 106    -   610 First angled portion of insulator 106    -   612 Second angled portion of insulator 106    -   614 Top portion of insulator 106    -   616 Fastener clearance hole    -   618 Top notch    -   620 Locating-pin clearance hole    -   622 Bottom notch    -   628 Protruding portion of top portion 614    -   630 Protruding portion of bottom portion 608    -   702 Sigma-shaped curve    -   800 Two-connector, board-to-board assembly    -   802 First printed circuit board    -   804 Second printed circuit board    -   902 Locating-pin holes in second circuit board 804 for a first        instance 100.1 of connector    -   100    -   904 Anode pads on second circuit board 804 for the first        instance 100.1 of connector 100    -   906 Cathode pad on second circuit board 804 for the first        instance 100.1 of connector 100    -   908 Locating-pin holes in second circuit board 804 for a second        instance 100.2 of connector 100    -   910 Anode pads on second circuit board 804 for the second        instance 100.2 of connector 100    -   912 Cathode pad on second circuit board 804 for the second        instance 100.2 of connector 100    -   1002 Fasteners that engage fasteners 406 of the first instance        100.1 of connector 100    -   1004 Fasteners that engage fasteners 506 of the first instance        100.1 of connector 100    -   1006 Anode pads on first circuit board 802 for the first        instance 100.1 of connector 100    -   1008 Cathode pad on first circuit board 802 for the first        instance 100.1 of connector 100    -   1010 Fasteners that engage fasteners 406 of the second instance        100.2 of connector 100    -   1012 Fasteners that engage fasteners 506 of the second instance        100.2 of connector 100    -   1014 Anode pads on first circuit board 802 for the second        instance 100.2 of connector 100    -   1016 Cathode pad on first circuit board 802 for the second        instance 100.2 of connector 100    -   1100 Three-connector, board-to-board assembly    -   1202 Short vertical path at top of connector 100    -   1204 Short vertical path at bottom of connector 100    -   1302 Coordinate system for FIG. 13    -   1304 First parallel plate    -   1306 Second parallel plate    -   1400 High-current, low-resistance, low-inductance connector        according to a second embodiment    -   1402 Anode assembly of connector 1400    -   1404 Gap between anode surface stamp and cathode for connector        1400    -   1600 Anode for connector 1400    -   1608 Bottom flange of anode 1600    -   1610 First angled flange of anode 1602    -   1612 Second angled flange of anode 1602    -   1614 Top flange of anode 1602    -   1616 Surface stamp in top flange 1614 of anode 1600    -   1618 Surface stamp in bottom flange 1608 of anode 1600    -   1800 High-current, low-resistance, low-inductance connector        according to a third embodiment    -   1802 All-fastener-mounted anode assembly of connector 1800    -   1804 All-fastener-mounted cathode assembly of connector 1800    -   1806 All-fastener-mounted anode for connector 1800    -   1808 Female fastener attached to a top surface stamp 1810    -   1810 Top surface stamp    -   1812 Female fastener attached to a bottom surface stamp 1814    -   1814 Bottom surface stamp    -   1816 All-fastener-mounted cathode    -   1818 Female fastener attached to a top cathode flange 1820    -   1820 Top cathode flange    -   1822 Female fastener attached to a bottom cathode flange 1824    -   1824 Bottom cathode flange    -   1826 Centerline of connector assembly, parallel to xy plane    -   1900 Board-to-board assembly using connector 1800    -   1902 First printed circuit board in assembly 1900    -   1904 Second printed circuit board in assembly 1900    -   1908 Male fastener that engages female fastener 1808    -   1912 Male fastener that engages female fastener 1812    -   1918 Male fastener that engages female fastener 1818    -   1922 Male fastener that engages female fastener 1822    -   2000 High-current, low-resistance, low-inductance connector        according to a fourth embodiment    -   2100 High-current, low-resistance, low-inductance connector        according to a fifth embodiment    -   2102 Anode for connector 2100    -   2104 Cathode for connector 2100    -   2106 Insulating layer for connector 2100    -   2108 Bottom flange of anode 2102    -   2110 First angled flange of anode 2102    -   2112 Second angled flange of anode 2102    -   2114 Top flange of anode 2102    -   2116 Bottom flange of cathode 2104    -   2118 First angled flange of cathode 2104    -   2120 Second angled flange of cathode 2104    -   2122 Top flange of cathode 2104    -   2124 Surface stamp in bottom flange 2108 of anode 2102    -   2126 First circuit board    -   2128 Surface stamp in top flange 2114 of anode 2102    -   2130 Second circuit board    -   2132 Fasteners for first circuit board 2126    -   2134 Fasteners for second circuit board 2130    -   2202 First corner    -   2204 Second corner    -   2206 Third angled flange

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the figures, various non-limiting exemplaryembodiments will now be described.

First Exemplary Embodiment (FIGS. 1-13)

FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 illustrate a first embodiment of ahigh-current-capacity, low-resistance, low-inductance electricalconnector 100. Each figure shows an imaginary, Cartesian xyz coordinatesystem 101 comprising an x axis, ay axis and a z axis, the coordinatesystem thereby defining an xy plane, an xz plane and a yz plane. Thecoordinate system's orientation with respect to the connector isconsistent on all figures, although the origin is not necessarilyconsistent. FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 illustrate assembled views of theconnector 100, which comprises an anode assembly 102, a cathode assembly104, and an insulator 106. These three assemblies are illustrated onFIG. 3, which is an exploded diagram of the connector 100. Otherreference numerals on FIGS. 1 through 3 are described in connection withFIGS. 4 through 6.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the anode assembly 102, whichcomprises an anode 400, at least one top shim plate 402, at least onebottom shim plate 404, and at least one anode fastener 406, such as athreaded PEM nut, well known in the art, available from PennEngineering® of Danboro, Pa. However, one of ordinary skill in the artwould readily recognize that other separable fastening means could beused other than PEM nuts and screws, such as slide-in or plug connectorsor that the fastening means could be more permanent, such as press-fitor soldered connections, as long as the connector maintains sufficientmechanical compliance and the low resistance objectives are met. Theanode 400, the top shim plates 402, and the bottom shim plates 404 aremade of electrically conducting material, preferably copper or alloys ofcopper such as copper beryllium. The anode 400 comprises a bottom flange408, a first angled flange 410, a second angled flange 412, and a topflange 414. The top flange 414 comprises, for each anode fastener 406, afastener hole 416 for receiving the anode fastener 406 and affixing itto the top flange 414. The top flange 414 also comprises at least onefastener-clearance hole 418. The bottom flange 408 comprises twolocating-pin clearance holes 420.

Each top shim plate 402 comprises at least one screw-clearance hole 422.Each top shim plate is affixed to the positive-z-facing surface of topflange 414 in such a manner that the screw-clearance holes 422 aresubstantially concentric with the fastener holes 416, and such that alow electrical resistance is achieved between each top shim plate 402and the top flange 414. The bottom shim plates 404 are affixed to thenegative-z-facing surface of bottom flange 408 in such a manner that alow electrical resistance is achieved therebetween. The top and bottomshim plates are attached, for example, by soldering or brazing. Theanode fasteners 406 are attached, for example, by swaging, as isroutinely done in the attachment of PEM nuts.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the cathode assembly 104, whichcomprises a cathode 500, two locating pins 502, and at least one cathodefastener 506 such as a threaded PEM nut. The cathode 500 is made ofelectrically conducting material, such as copper. The cathode 500comprises a bottom flange 508, a first angled flange 510, a secondangled flange 512 and a top flange 514. The top flange 514 comprises,for each cathode fastener 506, a fastener hole 516 for receiving thecathode fastener 506 and affixing it to the top flange 514 by, forexample, swaging. The top flange 514 also comprises at least one topnotch 518, each of which accommodates, in the assembly 100, the top shimplate 402; as illustrated in FIG. 1, the top notch 518 is large enoughto leave a gap 520 between the cathode's top flange 514 and three sidesof the anode's top shim plate 402.

Likewise, referring again to FIG. 5, the bottom flange 508 comprises atleast one bottom notch 522, each of which accommodates, in the assembly100, the bottom shim plate 404; as illustrated on FIG. 2, each bottomnotch 522 is large enough to leave a gap 524 between the bottom flange508 and three sides of the bottom shim plate 404. The bottom flange 508also comprises two locating-pin holes 526, which are used to attach thelocating pins 502 thereto by, for example, swaging. Protruding portions528 of the top flange 514 are formed by the notches 518; likewise,protruding portions 530 of the bottom flange 508 are formed by thenotches 522.

FIG. 6 illustrates the insulator 106, which comprises a bottom portion608, a first angled portion 610, a second angled portion 612, and a topportion 614. The top portion 614 comprises, for each cathode fastener506, a fastener clearance hole 616. The top portion 614 also comprises,for each top notch 518, a corresponding notch 618. The bottom portion608 comprises two locating-pin clearance holes 620, and, for each bottomnotch 522, a corresponding bottom notch 622. Protruding portions 628 ofthe top portion 614 are formed by the notches 618; likewise, protrudingportions 630 of the bottom portion 608 are formed by the notches 622.

Referring to FIG. 3, it should be noted that the insulator 106 may notactually be a separate piece; instead, it may be pre-bonded as a firstcoating 302 applied to the following surfaces of the cathode 500: thenegative-z-facing surface of flange 514, the positive-x-facing surfacesof flanges 512 and 510, and the positive-z-facing surface of flange 508.As a second alternative, insulator 106 may be pre-bonded as a secondcoating 304 applied to the following surfaces of the anode 400: thepositive-z-facing surface of flange 414, the negative-x-facing surfacesof flanges 412 and 410, and the negative-z-facing surface of flange 408.As a third alternative, insulator 106 may be provided by applying bothcoatings 302 and 304.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 100,parallel to the xz plane. As shown, the anode 102, the cathode 104 andthe insulator 106 conform to each other everywhere along a sigma-shapedcurve 702 comprising points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and I; consequently,everywhere along the sigma-shaped curve 702, the anode and cathode areseparated only by a thickness T of the insulator.

Assuming that one or both of the pre-bonded coatings 302 and 304 areused to provide the insulator 106, assembly of the connector 100 merelyinvolves nesting the anode assembly 102 inside the cathode assembly 104.To accomplish this, protrusions 528 (FIG. 5) must be temporarily andelastically bent upward to allow the fasteners 506 to snap into thefastener-clearance holes 418. Each fastener-clearance 418 hole is largerthan the fastener 506 by a significant amount, in order to avoidelectrical shorting of anode to cathode, so this assembly process isrelatively easy to perform. To insure the proximity of anode to cathodeshown in FIG. 7, it is desirable, during this assembly process, to applya small quantity of adhesive to the insulator-coated surfaces of theanode and the cathode.

The thickness of the top shim plates 402 is chosen so that, whenassembly of the connector is complete, the positive-z-facing surfaces ofthe top shim plates 402 are substantially co-planar with thepositive-z-facing surface of the top flange 514. Likewise, the thicknessof the bottom shim plates 404 is chosen so that, when assembly of theconnector is complete, the negative-z-facing surfaces of the bottom shimplates 404 are substantially co-planar with the negative-z-facingsurface of the bottom flange 508.

Referring to FIG. 8, connector 100 is designed to conduct a firstvoltage V on the anode 400 and a second voltage V_(ref) on the cathode500, thereby to deliver electrical power from a first printed circuitboard (PCB) 802, which is in contact with the anode at upper shim plates402 and is in contact with the cathode at the top flange 514, to asecond PCB 804, which is in contact with the anode at the lower shimplates 404 and is in contact with the cathode at the bottom flange 508.

For example, V may be a positive voltage (V>0) associated with apositive terminal of a power domain, and V_(ref) may be a groundpotential (V_(ref)=0) associated with a negative terminal of the powerdomain. The insulator 106, which is composed of an electricallyinsulating material, maintains electrical isolation between the anodeand the cathode, thereby preventing voltage V from shorting to voltageV_(ref).

FIG. 8 illustrates a two-connector, board-to-board assembly 800. This isa typical deployment of the connector assembly 100, in which twoinstances thereof, denoted 100.1 and 100.2, are used. Connector 100.1transmits a first power domain, characterized by its anode-voltage V₁,from the first PCB 802, where voltage V₁ is generated, to the second PCB804, where voltage V₁ is used to power various electronic devices.Likewise, connector 100.2 transmits a second power domain, characterizedby its anode-voltage V₂ from the first PCB 802, where voltage V₁ isgenerated, to the second PCB 804, where voltage V₂ is used.

FIG. 9 is an exploded diagram of assembly 800 that illustrates anattachment of connectors 100.1 and 100.2 to PCB 804. Locating connector100.1 with respect to PCB 804 by insertion of its locating pins 502 intoholes 902, the connector 100.1 is soldered to an inner surface of PCB804 using copper pads 904 and 906 printed thereon; specifically, toconnect the anode of connector 100.1 to PCB 804, the bottom shim plates404 of connector 100.1 are soldered to the copper pads 904, and toconnect the cathode of connector 100.1 to PCB 804, the bottom flange 508of connector 100.1 is soldered to the copper pad 906. Likewise, locatingconnector 100.2 with respect to PCB 804 by insertion of its locatingpins 502 into holes 908, the connector 100.2 is soldered to the innersurface of PCB 804 using copper pads 910 and 912 printed thereon;specifically, to connect the anode of connector 100.2 to PCB 804, thebottom shim plates 404 of connector 100.2 are soldered to the copperpads 910, and to connect the cathode of connector 100.2 to PCB 804, thebottom flange 508 of connector 100.2 is soldered to the copper pad 912.

FIG. 10 is an upside-down exploded diagram of assembly 800 thatillustrates an attachment of connectors 100.1 and 100.2 to PCB 802.Specifically, the attachment of connector 100.1 to PCB 802 is achievedwith fasteners 1002 and 1004 that engage fasteners 406 and 506 ofconnector 100.1, respectively. Tightening the fasteners 1002 achieves alow-resistance anode connection for connector 100.1 by pulling the topshims 402 thereof with high normal force against copper pads 1006.Tightening the fasteners 1004 achieves a low-resistance cathodeconnection for connector 100.1 by pulling the top flange 414 thereofwith high normal force against a copper pad 1008.

Likewise, the attachment of connector 100.2 to PCB 802 is achieved withfasteners 1010 and 1012 that engage fasteners 406 and 506 of connector100.2, respectively. Tightening the fasteners 1010 achieves alow-resistance anode connection for connector 100.2 by pulling the topshims 402 thereof with high normal force against copper pads 1014.Tightening the fasteners 1012 achieves a low-resistance cathodeconnection for connector 100.2 by pulling the top flange 514 thereofwith high normal force against a copper pad 1016.

Still referring to FIG. 10, the attachment of connectors 100.1 and 100.2to PCB 802 with removable fasteners 1002, 1004, 1110, and 1012 isadvantageous because PCBs 802 and 804 may then be separated forservicing. For example, if a power-delivery component on PCB 802 fails,replacement of PCB 802 is thereby facilitated, because the fasteners1002, 1004, 1010, and 1012 may be easily removed, a new PCB 802inserted, and the fasteners re-attached.

FIG. 11 illustrates a three-connector, board-to-board assembly 1100. Itis similar to assembly 800 except that a third instance of connectorassembly 100, denoted 100.3, is added for the purpose of transmitting athird power domain from PCB 802 to PCB 804. In such a case, where thereare three or more instances of connector assembly 100 between the twoPCBs, compliance in the z-direction is desirable in connector assembly100, to allow for mechanical tolerances where a connector height H,shown in FIG. 7, may differ from instance to instance of the connector.

For example, suppose that the heights of instances 100.1, 100.2 and100.3 are H₁, H₂ and H₃ respectively. If H₂=H₁ but H₃>H₁, then as thefasteners such as 1002 and 1004 are tightened for all three connectors100.1, 100.2 and 100.3, PCBs 802 and 804 will bend toward each other atconnectors 100.1 and 100.2, which will be in tension, while connector100.3 will be in compression. Consequently, solder joints at PCB 804 for100.1 and 100.2 will be under tension. Excessive tension is undesirable,as it may lead to solder-joint failure. To avoid excessive tension aswell as excessive deformation of the PCBs, it is therefore desirablethat the connector assembly 100 be compliant in the z direction. This isthe reason for the cross-sectional shape of the connector 100, like anupper-case Greek “sigma”, shown most clearly in FIG. 7.

Referring to this figure, when a sigma-shaped connector is placed incompressed or tension, it flexes around the corners BC, DE, and FG,thereby allowing modulation of the height H and relieving the stressthat would accrue for a simpler shape. For example, referring to FIG. 7,if θ₁=θ₃=90° and θ₂=180°, then the connector has a “C” shape; that isthe two angled flanges merge into a vertical flange. Such a C shape hasless compliance than the sigma shape, because the vertical flange mustbuckle before it deflects, which implies a greater stress on solderjoints, stress that may be problematic if the tolerance on H isappreciable.

Operation of the First Embodiment—FIGS. 12-13

Referring to FIG. 12, the resistance R_(conn) of the connector may becomputed. In the anode and in the cathode, either of which may bereferred to as an electrode, an electrical current flows along asigma-shaped current path of lengthl ₁ ≡ABCDEFGI  (5)

The cross-sectional area through which the current flows issubstantially the product of an electrode thickness l₂ and an electrodewidth w₁, both of which are assumed to be same for the two electrodes,whence

$\begin{matrix}{{R_{conn} \equiv {\rho\frac{2\; l_{1}}{l_{2}w_{1}}}},} & (6)\end{matrix}$where ρ is the resistivity of an electrode material assumed to be thesame for both electrodes, and the factor of two occurs because thecurrent travels through the anode of length l₁ and also through thecathode of length l₁.

For example, a prototype of the first embodiment, using copperelectrodes (ρ=1.6×10⁻⁵ [Ω-mm]), has the following dimensions:l ₁=62.5 [mm],l ₂=0.8 [mm],w ₁=67 [mm],  (7)whenceR _(conn)=37.3[μΩ]  (8)

This meets the target resistance specified in equation (4).

The inductance L_(conn) of the connector may be computed using awell-known solution for the self-inductance of parallel plates.Referring to FIG. 13 and a coordinate system 1302 thereon having an xdirection, a y direction, and a z direction, all mutually orthogonal,thereby defining an xy plane, this solution states that, for a pair ofparallel plates comprising a first parallel plate 1304 and a secondparallel plate 1306 lying parallel to each other and parallel to the xyplane, each plate having dimensions d_(x) and d_(y) in the x and ydirections respectively, with a gap between them of thickness d_(z), thegap being filled with an insulating material having a magneticpermeability close to the permeability of free space:

$\begin{matrix}{{\mu_{0} = {4\;\pi \times {10^{- 10}\mspace{11mu}\left\lbrack \frac{H}{mm} \right\rbrack}}},} & (9)\end{matrix}$and with electrical current I flowing toward the +x direction in plate1306 and toward the −x direction in plate 1304, the self-inductance ofthe parallel plates is:

$\begin{matrix}{L_{PP} = {\mu_{0}{\frac{d_{x}d_{z}}{d_{y}}.}}} & (10)\end{matrix}$

Referring again to FIG. 12, equation (10) may be applied to asigma-shaped path ABCDEFGI to yield a first connector inductance:

$\begin{matrix}{L_{1} = {\mu_{0}\frac{l_{1}g_{1}}{w_{1}}}} & (11)\end{matrix}$wherel ₁≡Length of the sigma-shaped path ABCDEFGI  (12)andg ₁≡Thickness of the insulator 106.  (13)

Equation (10) may be further applied to a first short vertical path 1202that carries current from the top PCB 802 (FIG. 8) to and from theconnector 100, and also to a second short vertical path 1204 thatcarries current from the bottom PCB 804 (FIG. 8) to and from theconnector 100. According to equation (10), each of these paths has aninductance

$\begin{matrix}{L_{2} = {\mu_{0}\frac{l_{2}g_{2}}{w_{2}}}} & (14)\end{matrix}$wherel ₂≡Thickness of cathode,  (15)g ₂≡Gap between flange cathode flange 508 and anode shim plate402,  (16)and, as shown on FIG. 12,w ₂≡Combined length of three-sided path JKMN and three-sided pathPQTU.  (17)Consequently, the self-inductance of the connector 100 is

$\begin{matrix}{{L_{conn} \approx {L_{1} + {2L_{2}}}} = {\mu_{0}\left( {\frac{l_{1}g_{1}}{w_{1}} + {2\frac{l_{2}g_{2}}{w_{2}}}} \right)}} & (18)\end{matrix}$

For example, a prototype of the first embodiment has the valuesl ₁=62.5 [mm];g ₁=0.05 [mm];w ₁=67.0 [mm];  (19)l ₂=0.8 [mm];g ₁=0.5 [mm];w ₁=66.0 [mm];  (20)whence, according to equation (11), for the prototype connector,

$\begin{matrix}{{L_{1} = {{\mu_{0}\frac{l_{1}g_{1}}{w_{1}}} = {\frac{\left( {4\;\pi \times {10^{- 10}\;\left\lbrack {H\text{/}{mm}} \right\rbrack}} \right)\left( {62.5\mspace{14mu}\lbrack{mm}\rbrack} \right)\left( {0.05\mspace{11mu}\lbrack{mm}\rbrack} \right)}{\left( {67\mspace{11mu}\lbrack{mm}\rbrack} \right)} = {58.6\mspace{11mu}\lbrack{pH}\rbrack}}}};} & (21) \\{L_{2} = {{\mu_{0}\frac{l_{2}g_{2}}{w_{2}}} = {\frac{\left( {4\;\pi \times {10^{- 10}\mspace{11mu}\left\lbrack {H\text{/}{mm}} \right\rbrack}} \right)\left( {0.8\mspace{11mu}\lbrack{mm}\rbrack} \right)\left( {0.5\mspace{11mu}\lbrack{mm}\rbrack} \right)}{\left( {66\mspace{11mu}\lbrack{mm}\rbrack} \right)} = {{7.6\mspace{11mu}\lbrack{pH}\rbrack}.}}}} & (22)\end{matrix}$

Consequently, the total self-inductance of the prototype connector is,L _(conn) ≈L ₁+2L ₂=58.6[pH]+2(7.6 [pH])=73.8 [pH].  (23)

This meets the target inductance specification in equation (4). In thiscase, the majority of the inductance in equation (23) is attributable tothe first term L₁, which corresponds to the sigma-shaped path ABCDEFGI,rather than to the second term 2L₂, which corresponds to the short paths1202 and 1204.

Additional Exemplary Embodiments (FIGS. 14-22) Second ExemplaryEmbodiment (Surface Stamps); FIGS. 14-17

FIG. 14 through FIG. 17 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of ahigh-current-capacity, low-resistance, low-inductance electricalconnector 1400. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate assembled views of theconnector 1400, which comprises an anode assembly 1402, the cathodeassembly 104, and the insulator 106. That is, the second embodiment isdistinguished from the first embodiment by the structure of the anodeassembly 1402.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate unexploded and exploded views of the anodeassembly 1402, respectively. The anode assembly 1402 comprises an anode1600 and a plurality of the fasteners 406. The anode 1600 comprises abottom flange 1608, a first angled flange 1610, a second angled flange1612, and a top flange 1614. The anode 1600 of the second embodiment isdistinguished from the anode 400 of the first embodiment by at least onetop surface stamp 1616 formed from the top flange 1614, and by at leastone bottom surface stamp 1618 formed from the bottom flange 1608.Referring to FIG. 14, these top surface stamps 1616 provide, in thesecond embodiment, what the top shim plates 402 provide in the firstembodiment; namely, anode surfaces 1616 that are coplanar with thepositive-z-facing surface of cathode flange 514, so that metal pads suchas 1006 and 1008 on the top circuit board 802 (FIG. 8) come into contactwith both the anode and the cathode simultaneously, by virtue of thecoplanar, positive-z-facing surfaces of 514 and 1616.

Likewise, referring to FIG. 15, the bottom surface stamps 1618 provide,in the second embodiment, what the bottom shim plates 404 provide in thefirst embodiment; namely, anode surfaces that are coplanar with thenegative-z-facing surface of cathode flange 508, so that metal pads suchas 904 and 906 on the bottom circuit board 804 (FIG. 8) come intocontact with both the anode and the cathode simultaneously, by virtue ofthe coplanar, negative-z-facing surfaces of 508 and 1618.

The advantage of using the surface stamps is that they obviate the needfor the shims plates 402 and 404, and the need to attach them, both ofwhich reduce manufacturing cost.

Operation of the second embodiment is similar to that of the firstembodiment. The inductance L₂ for the second embodiment is likely to besomewhat higher than for the first embodiment, depending on asurface-stamp fabrication technique. That is, referring to FIG. 12, thefirst embodiment comprises a gap g₂ whose value is constant over thelength l₂, whereas, referring to FIG. 14, the analogous gap for thesecond embodiment is a gap 1404 whose value varies over the length l₂,and is likely to be larger than g₂ over most of this length, dependingon the fabrication technique.

Consequently, the connector self-inductance L_(conn) for the secondembodiment is likely to be higher than for the first embodiment.However, the inductance penalty for using the cost-saving surface stampsis likely to be small: for example, using the prototypical calculationsgiven in equations (19) through (23), even a doubling of L₂ changesL_(conn) by only 20.6 percent, because L₂ is much less than L₁.

Third Exemplary Embodiment (Fasteners on Both Sides); FIGS. 18-19

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of ahigh-current-capacity, low-resistance, low-inductance,all-fastener-mounted electrical connector 1800. Referring to FIG. 18,the third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, except thatthe third embodiment comprises an all-fastener-mounted anode assembly1802 and an all-fastener-mounted cathode assembly 1804. Theall-fastener-mounted anode assembly comprises an all-fastener-mountedanode 1806, at least one female fastener 1808 attached to at least onetop surface stamp 1810, and at least one female fastener 1812 attachedto at least one bottom surface stamp 1814.

Likewise, the all-fastener-mounted cathode assembly 1804 comprises anall-fastener-mounted cathode 1816, at least one female fastener 1818attached to a top cathode flange 1820, and at least one female fastener1822 attached to a bottom cathode flange 1824. Consequently, theconnector 1800 may be completely symmetric top to bottom about a planeparallel to the xy plane that is coincident with centerline 1826,although this symmetry is not necessary. That is, a bottom half of theconnector 1800 may be, but does not have to be, a mirror image of a tophalf of the connector 1800.

Referring to FIG. 19, when connector 1800 is used in a board-to-boardassembly 1900 to transmit power from a first printed circuit board 1902to a second printed circuit board 1904, a male fastener 1908 engageseach female fastener 1808, a male fastener 1912 engages each femalefastener 1812, a male fastener 1918 engages each female fasteners 1818,and a male fastener 1922 engages each female fastener 1822. Engagementof the fasteners 1808 and 1908 connects the anode 1806 to the first PCB1902; engagement of the fasteners 1812 and 1912 connects the anode 1806to the second PCB 1904; engagement of the fasters 1818 to 1918 connectsthe cathode 1816 to the first PCB 1902; and engagement of the fasteners1822 to 1922 connects the cathode 1816 to the second PCB 1904.

Operation of the third embodiment is similar to that of the firstembodiment; however, because the connector 1800 is connected to both thefirst PCB 1902 and the second PCB 1904 with fasteners, both PCBs can bedetached for repair. This is an advantage vis-à-vis the first and secondembodiments, which are soldered to the second PCB 804, as shown in FIG.9. However, the contact resistance associated with mechanical fasteningto the second PCB is likely to be higher than the soldered connectionthereto, wherein the third embodiment is disadvantaged vis-à-vis thefirst and second embodiments. Consequently, the choice of the mostappropriate embodiment is application specific.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment (Shorter, Fewer Fasteners); FIG. 20

FIG. 20 illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of ahigh-current-capacity, low-resistance, low-inductance connector 2000. Itis similar to connector 1800, except that is shorter in the y direction,such that only one instance of the fastener 1808 connects the anode 1806to the first PCB 1902 (not shown in FIG. 20) at surface stamp 1810, onlyone instance of the fastener 1812 connects the anode to the bottom PCB1904 (not shown in FIG. 20) at the surface stamp 1812, only one instanceof the fastener 1818 connects the cathode 1816 to PCB 1902 at the topcathode flange 1802, and only one instance of the fastener 1822 connectsthe cathode 1816 to PCB 1904 at the bottom cathode flange 1824.Operation of the fourth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment,just with fewer fasteners.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment (Various Shapes); FIGS. 21-22

FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a fifth exemplary embodiment of ahigh-current-capacity, low-resistance, low-inductance connector 2100. Itis similar to connector 1800, comprising an electrically conductinganode 2102, an electrically conducting cathode 2104, and an insulatinglayer 2106 therebetween. The anode comprises a bottom flange 2108, afirst angled flange 2110, a second angled flange 2112, and a top flange2114. Likewise, the cathode comprises a bottom flange 2116, a firstangled flange 2118, a second angled flange 2120, and a top flange 2122.The anode comprises at least one bottom surface stamp 2124 in flange2108, thereby producing a set of bottom-aligned anode and cathodesurfaces, such that a first circuit board 2126 may simultaneously makecontact with the bottom-aligned surfaces when affixed thereto withfasteners 2132, whereby electrical contact between the first circuitboard 2126 and both of the electrodes, anode 2102 and cathode 2104, isestablished. Likewise, the anode comprises at least one top surfacestamp 2128 in flange 2114, thereby producing a set of top-aligned anodeand cathode surfaces, such that a second circuit board 2130 maysimultaneously make contact with the top-aligned surfaces when affixedthereto with fasteners 2134, whereby electrical contact between thesecond circuit board 2130 and both of the electrodes, anode 2102 andcathode 2104, is established.

As illustrated on FIG. 21B, let

$\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{\theta_{1} \equiv {{Angle}\mspace{14mu}{between}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2108\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2110}} \\{\equiv {{Angle}\mspace{14mu}{between}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2116\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2118}}\end{matrix} & (24) \\\begin{matrix}{\theta_{2} \equiv {{Angle}\mspace{14mu}{between}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2110\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2112}} \\{\equiv {{Angle}\mspace{14mu}{between}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2118\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2120}}\end{matrix} & (25) \\\begin{matrix}{\theta_{3} \equiv {{Angle}\mspace{14mu}{between}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2112\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2114}} \\{\equiv {{Angle}\mspace{14mu}{between}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2120\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2122.}}\end{matrix} & (26)\end{matrix}$

Also define a board-to-board angle θ_(BB), which is the angle betweencircuit boards 2126 and 2130, as

$\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{\theta_{BB} \equiv {{Angle}\mspace{14mu}{between}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2108\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2114}} \\{\equiv {{Angle}\mspace{14mu}{between}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2116\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}{flange}\mspace{14mu} 2122.}}\end{matrix} & (27)\end{matrix}$

By inspection of FIG. 21B, the board-to-board angle θ_(BB) ismathematically related to θ₁, θ₂, and θ₃ as follows:θ_(BB)=θ₁+(180°−θ₂)−(180°−θ₃)=+θ₁+θ₃−θ₂.  (28)

Previous embodiments have all shown θ₁=θ₃=45° and θ₂=90°, whenceθ_(BB)=0°. However, by suitable choices of the angles θ₁, θ₂, and θ₃, avariety of connector shapes may be produced to accommodate a variety ofapplications.

As a first example, consider the case shown in FIG. 22A:θ₁=90°,θ₂=180°,θ₃=180°⇒θ_(BB)=90°.  (29)

This permits the connection of two circuit boards 2126 and 2130 at rightangles. Because of the 180-degree angles, anode flanges 2110, 2112 and2114 merge into a single flange, as do cathode flanges 2118, 2120, and2122.

As a second example, consider the case shown in FIG. 22B:θ₁=90°,θ₂=90°,θ₃=90°⇒θ_(BB)=90°.  (30)

This again produces a right-angle connection between the two circuitboards 2126 and 2130, but with greater compliance than for the caseshown in FIG. 22A, because, referring to the coordinate system 101beneath FIG. 22B, the circuit board 2130 can move slightly in the x andz directions with respect to circuit board 2126 because the connector2100 can flex about a first corner 2202 and a second corner 2204,respectively.

As a third example, consider the case shown in FIG. 22C:θ₁=90°,θ₂=180°,θ₃=90°⇒θ_(BB)=0°.  (31)

Like previous embodiments (FIGS. 1-12 and 14-19), this C-shapedconnector produces parallel boards (θ_(BB)=0°). The C shape is adegenerate case of the sigma shape, due to θ₂=180°, which causes the twoangled flanges to merge into a single vertical flange. Compared to thesigma shape, the C-shape has the advantage of somewhat lower resistanceand inductance because of the shorter length l₁; see equations (6) and(18). However, compared to the sigma shape, the C shape has lowcompliance in the z direction vis-à-vis the sigma shape, because thelatter can flex at the three corners BC, DE, and FG illustrated in FIG.7. Consequently, the C shape may be less desirable than the sigma shapefor applications that demand compliance, for example, to accommodatemechanical tolerances.

As a fourth example, consider the case shown in FIG. 22D:θ₁=180°,θ₂=180°,θ₃=180°⇒θ_(BB)=180°.  (32)

This illustrates a low-resistance, low-inductance power connectionbetween two connect circuit boards 2130 and 2126 for applications inwhich the boards are substantially coplanar.

As a fifth example, consider a case in which a third angled flange 2206is added to each of the electrodes (anode and cathode). Then a connectorsuch as that shown in FIG. 22E may be constructed. In general, by addingvarious numbers of flanges at various angles, a great variety of shapesof connectors may be constructed, for a variety of applications, allwithin the scope of the embodiments specifically detailed herein.

Although the above-described exemplary embodiments described variouscross-sectional shapes such as the sigma-shaped curves with relativelyabrupt angles, right angles, or zero angle, it should be clear that thepresent invention is not limited to these cross-sectional shapes sincethe same principle of operation would apply with less abrupt angles suchas semi-circular or other conic cross-sectional shapes.

Thus it can be seen that, in accordance with one or more embodiments,high-current-capacity, low-resistance, low-inductance power connectorsmay be constructed for a variety of applications in which two electronicentities must be connected and a large, sometimes-fluctuating currentpassed between them with low loss. One or both entities may bedisconnected from the connector, as may be required for servicing.Construction of the connector is straightforward, and manufacturing costis low.

While the above description contains much specificity, this should notbe construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as anexemplification of several embodiments thereof. Many other variationsare possible. For example, a connector with no fasteners may beconstructed by soldering both terminations thereof. Accordingly, thescope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical connector, comprising: an anode forconducting an electrical supply current from a source to a destination,the anode formed into a first shape from sheet metal or other sheet-likeconducting material; a cathode for conducting an electrical returncurrent from the destination to the source, the cathode formed into asecond shape from the sheet metal or other sheet-like conductingmaterial; and an insulator that prevents electrical conduction betweenthe anode and the cathode, wherein the first and second shapes are suchas to provide a conformity of one to the other, with the insulatorplaced therebetween and having a predetermined relatively thinthickness, whereby a predetermined low-resistance path for the supplycurrent is provided by the anode, a predetermined low-resistance pathfor the return current is provided by the cathode, and a proximity ofthe anode to the cathode along these paths provides a predetermined lowself-inductance of the connector, said proximity being afforded by theconformity of the first and second shapes, wherein the anode and thecathode each comprises a plurality of interconnected plate-like sectionsof the sheet metal or other sheet-like conducting material that arejoined together at one or more predetermined angles to form a rigidassembly that accommodates a geometry between the source and thedestination.
 2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, whereinthe one or more predetermined angles comprises at least one of: at leastone right angle; at least one obtuse angle; and at least one acuteangle.
 3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: the anodecomprises a first anode flange and a second anode flange, with ananode-to-source attachment means being affixed to the first anode flangeand an anode-to-destination attachment means being affixed to the secondanode flange, and the cathode comprises a first cathode flange and asecond cathode flange, these flanges being conformal to the anodeflanges, with a cathode-to-source attachment means being affixed to thefirst cathode flange and a cathode-to-destination attachment means beingaffixed to the second cathode flange, and wherein the first and secondanode flanges are disposed at an angle with respect to each other toaccommodate the geometry between the source and the destination.
 4. Theelectrical connector of claim 3, wherein the source comprises asubstantially planar source area to which the connector is attached, andthe destination comprises a substantially planar destination area towhich the connector is attached, in which context the lowself-inductance of the connector is enhanced by providing: a. in thefirst anode flange, at least one source protrusion that protrudes from asurface of the first anode flange by an amount that is substantiallyequal to a combined thickness of the cathode and the insulator, b. inthe second anode flange, at least one destination protrusion thatprotrudes from a surface of the second anode flange by an amount that issubstantially equal to the combined thickness of the cathode and theinsulator, c. in the first cathode flange, a cutout corresponding toeach source protrusion that is large enough to allow the sourceprotrusion to nest therein without causing electrical contact betweenthe anode and the cathode, and d. in the second cathode flange, a cutoutcorresponding to each destination protrusion that is large enough toallow the destination protrusion to nest therein without causingelectrical contact between the anode and the cathode, whereby a surfaceof the first cathode flange is substantially coplanar with the at leastone source protrusion, thereby defining a first set of coplanarsurfaces, and a surface of the second cathode flange is substantiallycoplanar with the at least one destination protrusion, thereby defininga second set of coplanar surfaces, such that an anode-to-sourceattachment and a cathode-to-source attachment occur by mating thesubstantially planar source area to the first set of coplanar surfacesusing the anode-to-source attachment means and the cathode-to-sourceattachment means, respectively; and moreover, an anode-to-destinationattachment and a cathode-to-destination attachment occur by mating thesubstantially planar destination area to the second set of coplanarsurfaces using the anode-to-destination attachment means and thecathode-to-destination attachment means, respectively.
 5. The electricalconnector of claim 1, wherein: the anode comprises a first anode flange,a second anode flange, a third anode flange, and a fourth anode flange,with an anode-to-source attachment means being affixed to the firstanode flange and an anode-to-destination attachment means being affixedto the fourth anode flange, and the cathode comprises a first cathodeflange, a second cathode flange, a third cathode flange, and a fourthcathode flange, these flanges being conformal to the anode flanges, witha cathode-to-source attachment means being affixed to the first cathodeflange and a cathode-to-destination attachment means being affixed tothe fourth cathode flange, and wherein the first, second, third, andfourth anode flanges are disposed at angles with respect to each otherto accommodate the predetermined geometry of the source and thedestination.
 6. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein the sourcecomprises a substantially planar source area to which the connector isattached, and the destination comprises a substantially planardestination area to which the connector is attached, in which contextthe low self-inductance of the connector is enhanced by providing: a. inthe first anode flange, at least one source protrusion that protrudesfrom a surface of the first anode flange by an amount that issubstantially equal to a combined thickness of the cathode and theinsulator, b. in the fourth anode flange, at least one destinationprotrusion that protrudes from a surface of the fourth anode flange byan amount that is substantially equal to the combined thickness of thecathode and the insulator, c. in the first cathode flange, a cutoutcorresponding to each source protrusion that is large enough to allowthe source protrusion to nest therein without causing electrical contactbetween the anode and the cathode, and d. in the fourth cathode flange,a cutout corresponding to each destination protrusion that is largeenough to allow the destination protrusion to nest therein withoutcausing electrical contact between the anode and the cathode, whereby asurface of the first cathode flange is substantially coplanar with theat least one source protrusion, thereby defining a first set of coplanarsurfaces, and a surface of the fourth cathode flange is substantiallycoplanar with the at least one destination protrusion, thereby defininga second set of coplanar surfaces, such that an anode-to-sourceattachment and a cathode-to-source attachment occur by mating thesubstantially planar source area to the first set of coplanar surfacesusing the anode-to-source attachment means and the cathode-to-sourceattachment means, respectively; and moreover, an anode-to-destinationattachment and a cathode-to-destination attachment occur by mating thesubstantially planar destination area to the second set of coplanarsurfaces using the anode-to-destination attachment means and thecathode-to-destination attachment means, respectively.
 7. The electricalconnector of claim 1 in which the insulator comprises a coating that isapplied to at least one of the anode and the cathode on a set ofsurfaces where the first and second shapes conform.
 8. The electricalconnector of claim 1, wherein the anode and the cathode comprise copperor an alloy of copper.
 9. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein:the anode further comprises an anode-to-source attachment means and ananode-to-destination attachment means, and the cathode further comprisesa cathode-to-source attachment means and a cathode-to-destinationattachment means, such that the connector can be selectively attached tothe source using both the anode-to-source attachment means and thecathode-to-source attachment means, and the connector can be selectivelyattached to the destination using both the anode-to-destinationattachment means and the cathode-to-destination attachment means. 10.The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein: the anode comprises afirst anode flange, a second anode flange, and a third anode flange,with an anode-to-source attachment means being affixed to the firstanode flange and an anode-to-destination attachment means being affixedto the third anode flange, and the cathode comprises a first cathodeflange, a second cathode flange, and a third cathode flange, theseflanges being conformal to the anode flanges, with a cathode-to-sourceattachment means being affixed to the first cathode flange and acathode-to-destination attachment means being affixed to the thirdcathode flange, and wherein the first, second, and third anode flangesare disposed at angles with respect to each other to accommodate apredetermined geometry of the source and the destination.
 11. Theelectrical connector of claim 10, wherein the source comprises asubstantially planar source area to which the connector is attached, andthe destination comprises a substantially planar destination area towhich the connector is attached, in which context the lowself-inductance of the connector is enhanced by providing: a. in thefirst anode flange, at least one source protrusion that protrudes from asurface of the first anode flange by an amount that is substantiallyequal to a combined thickness of the cathode and the insulator, b. inthe third anode flange, at least one destination protrusion thatprotrudes from a surface of the third anode flange by an amount that issubstantially equal to the combined thickness of the cathode and theinsulator, c. in the first cathode flange, a cutout corresponding toeach source protrusion that is large enough to allow the sourceprotrusion to nest therein without causing electrical contact betweenthe anode and the cathode, and d. in the third cathode flange, a cutoutcorresponding to each destination protrusion that is large enough toallow the destination protrusion to nest therein without causingelectrical contact between the anode and the cathode, whereby a surfaceof the first cathode flange is substantially coplanar with the at leastone source protrusion, thereby defining a first set of coplanarsurfaces, and a surface of the third cathode flange is substantiallycoplanar with the at least one destination protrusion, thereby defininga second set of coplanar surfaces, such that an anode-to-sourceattachment and a cathode-to-source attachment occur by mating thesubstantially planar source area to the first set of coplanar surfacesusing the anode-to-source attachment means and the cathode-to-sourceattachment means, respectively; and moreover, an anode-to-destinationattachment and a cathode-to-destination attachment occur by mating thesubstantially planar destination area to the second set of coplanarsurfaces using the anode-to-destination attachment means and thecathode-to-destination attachment means, respectively.
 12. Theelectrical connector of claim 9, wherein the anode-to-source attachmentmeans, the cathode-to-source attachment means, the anode-to-destinationattachment means, and the cathode-to-destination attachment meanscomprise one of solder and threaded connectors, in any predeterminedcombination.
 13. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein at leastone of the anode-to-source attachment means, the anode-to-destinationattachment means, the cathode-to-source attachment means, and thecathode-to-destination attachment means comprises a plurality ofinstances of attachment fixtures.
 14. An electrical connector,comprising: an anode assembly for conducting an electrical supplycurrent from a source to a destination, the anode assembly comprising ananode formed into a first shape from sheet metal or other sheet-likeconducting material; a cathode assembly for conducting an electricalreturn current from the destination to the source, the cathode assemblycomprising a cathode formed into a second shape from sheet metal orother sheet-like conducting material; and an insulator that preventselectrical conduction between the anode and the cathode, wherein thefirst and second shapes are such as to provide a conformity of one tothe other, with the insulator therebetween having a predeterminedrelatively thin thickness, whereby a predetermined low-resistance pathfor the supply current is provided by the anode, a predeterminedlow-resistance path for the return current is provided by the cathode,and a proximity of the anode to the cathode along these paths provides apredetermined low self-inductance of the connector, said proximity beingafforded by the conformity of the first and second shapes, wherein theanode assembly and the cathode assembly each comprises, interconnectedplate-like sections of the sheet metal or other sheet-like conductingmaterial that are joined together at one or more predetermined angles toform a rigid assembly that accommodates a geometry between the sourceand the destination.
 15. The electrical connector of claim 14, whereinthe predetermined low-resistance path for the supply current, thepredetermined low-resistance path for the return current, and thepredetermined low self-inductance provides a method for controlling apower consumption in a high-performance computer system.